Top 15 Best Neckband Headphones in 2018

Some niche headphones offer unexpected conveniences that set them apart from everyday headphones. The neckband headphones hold a special place among such curios for corporate workers who spend half their lives taking calls. These are also the life-savers for people on the move. These bring you the visibility of headphones such that you don’t keep losing them in your jeans pocket like normal earbuds. But they don’t have the vice-like grip of the over-ear headphones. The market of these headphones has many options, so we selected the 10 best neckband headphones for you. These are all-round headphones spread over a wide range of the prices.

What are neckband headphones? What are their advantages?

Neckband headphones usually have a moderately thick but flexible band that connects to the two ear pieces. This goes behind the head, over the neck unlike the usual headphones which go on the head. There are three types of neckband headphones:

On-ear type: In these neckband headphones, the ear pieces sit on the ear. The neckband routes over the ears and connects behind the back of your neck. These are very comfortable to wear. They allow some ambient noise in since they do not plug into the ears. These neckband headphones are suitable for occasions when you need to be aware of your surroundings. They are available in both wireless and wired forms.

In-ear type(for all-round use): These kind of headphones have an almost stiff neckband. Earbuds emerge out of the arms via small cords. When in use, they can be plugged into the ears. When not in use, they either stick together or just hang off the neckband. These offer the convenience of earphones without the fear of losing them. These are usually wirelessly connected to the audio source. Officeprofessionals find them exceptionally useful to take calls. Some of them even alert you when the calls come.

In-ear type(sports headphones): These neckband headphones have a relatively thin wire that connects two earbuds. Their neckband is much more flexible and barely has any weight. These are usually wireless and connect to all the usual audio sources. They are best used for working out and other sports activities. Most of them have inline mics and are up for communication.

In this post, we cover only the first two types of neckband headphones.

Advantages

Neckband headphones have some distinct advantages compared to other headphones:

Pressure: Full-size headphones put a lot of pressure on the head and the ears. Continuous wearing could even turn them into furnace for your ears. With neckband headphones, you can continuously listen to music or take calls without having the weight of the world on your head.

Ease of Use: Neckband headphones can be hung around your neck when not in use. In most cases, they will just look like a very fancy accessory. They are so lightweight, you don’t even feel they are there. They are much easier to locate than normal earbuds when an urgent call comes.

Wireless connectivity: Most of them have wireless connectivity which allows you to walk around untethered with the convenience of earbuds. But they are easier to spot than a misplaced wireless earbud. These are the perfect combination of portability and reliability.

Affordable: These neckband headphones are more affordable than wireless earbuds of similar quality. Some of them even have Apt-X support which helps them maintain the same audio quality as wired headphones of their price. The wired neckband headphones are quite inexpensive too.

Design: The in-ear neckbands are optimized for easy call control. The buttons are placed such that it’s easy to reach them right when the phone rings. The neckband is often durable but flexible enough to match the contours of your neck.

Which are the best neckband headphones?

We scoured the market for the best neckband headphones and found these 10 based on the following aspects:

Audio: Any convenience of design will be marred if the audio doesn’t sound good. We checked these headphones for a balanced audio response. We paid special attention to the vocals since these neckband headphones are usually used in office communication.

Design: We looked at the placement of buttons on the wireless neckband headphones. The more conveniently they were placed, the higher the points for design ingenuity. We also checked the curve of the neckband to see it lies comfortably around the neck.

Durability: Since most of the best neckband headphones are inexpensive, we read up the usage reviews extensively to find which ones are durable. The neckband itself and the earbuds were both taken into consideration. The connection between the earbuds and the neckband were also take into account.

Features: The best neckband headphones come with a bunch of convenience features like the magnetic arms, active noise cancellation, fabric cable etc.

Budget:The best neckband headphones are spread over low to moderate prices. These are excellent value for money whatever their price may be. We compared them on the same basis.

The Philips Rich Bass neckband headphones got rave reviews one Philips debuted them. They have proved to be ultra-comfortable to the people of various professions who like good music, need to be aware of their surroundings, andrequire hands-free comfort. From dog-walkers to IT professionals, these cans have been the saving grace of many music lovers. These wired headphones have an exceptionally good sound signature for the price. They make to the top of the best neckband headphones list.

Design and Features

The Philip Rich bass neckband headphones feel every bits like the accessory of an active lifestyle. These are made of lightweight plastic. These have the clip-on design that sits with minimal clamp over the ears but hangs securely at this position. The neck band shoots off the on-ear ear pieces and connects around the back of the head slightly above the neck. It sits tight and fits well. The ear pieces are round and loaded with foam earpads. The earcups are marked and highlighted in red. The ear pieces have bass beat vents that enhance the performance.

The cable of these neckband headphones connect only to the left earcup. The cable is a braided fabric cord. It runs 1.5m ling and terminates in a straight gold-plated. The OFC cable carries the audio without any disruption. The textile cover reduces tangles and extends the life of the cord. The cable also has a Pull-relief system that reduces strain on the cable.The neckband has a reflective line that show up in the dark and keeps you visible in the dark.

These are very conservatively priced for their build and audio quality. They score high in terms of comfort and cable length. They are excellent choice for someone who doesn’t want the earbuds squirrelling into their ears but likes the neckband design.

Audio

The biggest strength of Philips Rich bass neckband headphones is their sound. At its price, the mature audio signature is unbeatable. The bass vents ensure that the lower frequencies have good extension and power throughout the volume range.It doesn’t sound tinny as expected out of inexpensive headphones. The bass has good definition too which doesn’t get boomy at high volumes. The midrange is decent with an agreeable amount of details. The treble details are sketchy. It is not sibilant or harsh.This keeps the vocals and strings in right order.

The presentation of the audio is spacious and these neckband headphones get the audio imaging right. They are really harsh on the bad recordings as they make the discrepancies sound worse.

The LG Electronics Tone pro HBS-750 Bluetooth neckband headphones have a bunch of features that make them an invaluable music and communication device. The wireless connection untethers you from the source device and allows you to roam freely in the range of the Bluetooth connection. The hassle-free operation that remains consistent throughout the lifetime of the device and its excellent build quality has earned it the top place in the best neckband headphones list.

Design and Features

The LG Electronics Tone Pro HBS-750 neckband headphones are one of the most convenient cans we have ever worn. These have an ergonomic neckband that’s lightweight enough that you forget that you have them on. Two earbuds emerge out of the neckband through thin wires. You don’t need to keep them plugged on all the time. If you get a call, the neckband automatically vibrates and intimates you about the call. You can turn off the vibration alert. When not in use, the earbuds recede into the neckband and stay safe there.

These neckband headphones use Bluetooth v3.0 with A2DP and AVRCP. It is also Apt-X compatible which bridges the gap between Bluetooth audio and detailed audio. It is empowered with the Google voice activation which allows you to give voice command. It has both voice alerts which tell you the battery and the pairing status. The HBS-750 has an auto-reconnect function for when the connection drops and you get back in the range. It takes 2 hours to charge these to full capacity. With this, it can sustain 15 hours of talktime, 10 hours of music or 21 days standby. An interesting feature is that it can read out the messages you receive and it can also convert your spoken messages to texts on the phone. So you virtually operate hands-free. The buttons of call and music playback are situated on the arms of the neckband.

Audio

The LG Tone Pro HBS-750 neckband headphones have the quality of maintaining a strong connection. Within the Bluetooth range, these play the audio seamlessly. These audio is full-bodied. You get a good helping of the low-end frequencies that keep the audio from sounding tinny at any volume. The volume range is large enough to make clear calls and enjoy music. The Apt-X definitely brings more detailing into the music when an Apt-X-enabled source device is connected.

The Text-to-speech can vice-versa work smoothly and are usable for applications other than texting as well. You can connect to two devices simultaneously on these neckband headphones. They play the audio based on priority. So when you are connected to the laptop and the phone rings, the HBS-750 takes over the call.

Sony MDR-G45LP neckband headphones are another one of those non-invasive designs that sit on the ears rather than around it. With the neckband, they sit tight and provide a continuous stream of music through a wired connection. These are quite affordable too. A wireless headphone at this price is likely to be unreliable in its connection. The audio is the real treat here. Wild horses couldn’t have kept these out of the best neckband headphones list.

Design and Features

The Sony MDR-G45LP neckband headphones are distinctly comfortable cans. They are much like the Philip Rich bass in their design. They sit as clip-on headphones with ear pieces going on top of the ears. These are clipped securely on to the ears through the neckband that runs behind the head. The ear pieces are topped with foam earpads that make soft contact with the ears. For some ear sizes, a stitching on the top may rub against the ears. But it gets softer after a break-in period. These are designed well for outdoor use during cycling, walking and workouts. You can even sleep with these on. The invasive feeling earbuds is blissfully missed with these headphones.

The cable of these neckband headphones runs 3.9 feet long. It is connected discreetly to the left earcup. Together, the cans and the cable make a very lightweight package that feels ‘barely there’ on your neck. They are more comfortable for folks who wear glasses than the Philips Rich Bass headphones. These are also quite easy to wear under hats and with sunglasses.

Audio

Philips is known for having a few maverick headphones in its line-up that are excellent value for money. Sony is a consistent performer when it comes to headphones. The MDR-G45LP show Sony’s characteristic maturity when it comes to sound signature. This is a balanced sound with good but not excessive bass. The lower frequencies have a nice thrust in the midbass region. The bass is not bloated or boomy. It does not overpower the midrange vocals and strings. The treble has no sign of sibilance. The soundstage has good space, music does not sound cramped. The audio is clear with a wide volume range.

These neckband headphones allow ambient noise in partially. So they are best for use when you want to stay alert of your surroundings.

Pros:

Lightweight and comfortable

On-ear design

Excellent audio quality for the price

Full-bodied bass

Single-sided cable

Inexpensive

Cons:

Stitch on the earpads that forms a pressure point during break-in period

The QuietControl 30 wireless neckband headphones are a detour from Bose’ usual radio silencing devices. These offer excellent active noise cancellation though not quite in the league of the QuietComfort headphones. These offer the typical Bose comfort by bringing audio close to your ears without invading the privacy of your ears. They have the characteristic smooth and detailed audio of Bose. These cans deserve a free ride to the best neckband headphones list.

Design and Features

The Bose QuietControl 30 wireless neckband headphones speak of quality with every curve. The neckband is a solid piece of hardware. It’slightweight, aesthetically pleasing and ergonomically designed. It aligns comfortably to the shape of your neck. The in-ear earbuds attach to both ends of this neckband through sturdy wires. They use the special Stay-Hear eartips that allow the earbuds to hang at the entrance of the ear without squirrelling in. The wings of the tip lock them in place and keep them secure while you move around. The earbuds are small and do not stick out of the ears.

These neckband headphones operate through wireless connectivity to the source. Both Bluetooth and NFC options are available. With NFC, you only need to tap the NFC-enabled audio source to these headphones. They have active noise cancellation which works on reducing the ambient noise whilethe eartips stay loosely-held on the ears. The mic on them is also noise-rejecting, allowing you to make clear, noise-free calls. These are loaded with a rechargeable Lithium ion battery which gives you 10 hours of music-listening time. The Call and Music playback buttons are on the cable connected to one of the earbuds.

These QuietControl 30 neckband headphones come with a semi-hard zippered case. Extra sets of StayHear eartips in small and large sizes and a charging cord are also supplied. You can use the ANC feature to get some quiet time during a plane ride even if you don’t want to hear the music. These have proved to be seat-resistant so they can be used during outdoor activities.

Audio

The Bose QuietControl 30 neckband headphones probably have the least degree of ANC amongst the QC lines. But we appreciate the fact since Stronger ANC means more pressure on the ears. But if you are spoilt by the ANC of QC35, these might not be up to your ANC speed. Being a trusted brand as Bose, these headphone deliver a strong wireless connection that’s not easily marred by static or connection drops.

The audio of these headbands is more high-profile than any other headphone on this list. There’s a nice punch to the bass and definition that you will only find in high-end headphones. The meaty low-end does not interfere with the intricate midranges. The treble sparkles with delight. The audio signature is balanced and exciting. Bose tries to retain the maximum details without letting them be unforgiving on bad formats.

The SoundPeats Bluetooth Q900 neckband headphones are the upgraded version of the bestseller Q800 headphones. The pliable neckband is both lightweight and comfortable. SoundPeats uses innovative design structure to minimize damage and bring you convenience of use. The Bluetooth connectivity only adds to this. The choice of colors and the tiny features promote ease of use lock its place in the best neckband headphones list.

Design and Features

The SoundPeats Q900 neckband headphones is much like the LG HBS-750 in its design. A neckband goes around the neck and sits flat on the chest. The earbuds emerge out of the arms of the neckband. The ear pieces stick to the end of the arms magnetically when not in use. The earbuds sit in the ear canal through silicone eartips. You get them in small, medium and large sizes. The neckband is very pliable and can be twisted around when it’s stored for transport.

The call and music playback buttons go on the arms of the neckband. The button placement and functionality are quite convenient with rarely any long button presses. These are at the top of the neckband where it’s easier to access them. These neckband headphones work wirelessly through Bluetooth 4.1. Along with Apt-X, they can deliver a steady connection and low loss of details over Bluetooth. The battery lasts through 10 hours of music on 2 hours of charging. You get 10 hours of standby time. These are available in black and dark blue. They are good for office use as well as for workouts and other on-the-move scenarios. They are IPX4-rated as sweat resistant. SoundPeats provides excellent customer service on its products.

Audio

The SoundPeats QC900 neckband headphones are too inexpensive to be critiqued like the Bose QC30. But they bring a certain clarity to the table that’s unexpected at this price. It has a kicker bass which keeps the audioenergetic. From podcasts to metal music, these can handle everything. The detailing is decent. The bass doesn’t sound boomy and there’s no harshness in the treble. We specifically appreciated these facts because this makes them enjoyable as workout headphones.

The mic functions well although it doesn’t filter out noise like the Bose headphones do.

Take it from the phone giant to bring you one of the best neckband headphones. The Samsung Level U Pro wireless neckband headphones level up the competition. Much more affordable than the Bose QC30, these still sound better than the little-known brands. These are collar headphones with earbuds which gives you close access to the music. The lightweight, bendy structure deserves a place in the best neckband headphones list.

Design and Features

The Samsung Level U Pro headphones have an ultra-lightweight design that’s programmed to the curves of your neck. The structure is lightweight plastic and durable enough for long hours of continuous use. The neckband is bent lie nothing we have ever seen. But it effectively keeps the weight off your neck. The earbuds emerge from the sides of the neckband through wires. When not in use, the earbuds stick together magnetically at the armsand stay out of harm’s way. When you separate the arms as the phone rings, it is akin to call Answer. Meanwhile sticking them together can reject the call or pause the music. We found the feature rather useful. This is more tactile than buttons on the band.

These neckband headphones operate through a Bluetoothconnection. The Bluetooth v4.1 is stronger and more energy-efficient. It can give you 9-hour talktime or 9 hours of music play. The neckband is more flexible at the joints than usual neckbands. The settings of the headphones can be controlled via an Android App which also provides and equalizer for altering the audio response. There are call and music control buttons on the right arm of the neckband. This allowsyou to control the device from your smartphone. They come with three sizes of silicone eartips and a micro-USB charging cable.

Audio

Samsung Level U Pro neckband headphones come a long way from the Level U cans. They avoid the distortion that Level U struggled with. Instead, the audio of the Pro sound very natural for a wireless connection. They have a good volume range where the bass has solid presence. Even at the low volumes, you don’t find the bass underwhelming or tinny. The amount of bass is just right so it does not bleed into the mids and distort the vocals. The vocals have plenty of clarity which gives you excellent audio quality during calls.

The treble of these neckband headphones is a little harsh. But it does not affect all recordings, only the harsh ones.

LG Electronics Tone Ultra HBS-800 Bluetooth neckband headphones are one of their most feature-full collar-type headphones. They bring a healthy competition in the market with active noise cancellation features. Although not anywhere close to the Bose ANC, this is still a bargain feature, especially since the price of these babies has dropped to almost half the original. These are undoubtedly one of the best neckband headphones in the market.

Design and Features

The LG Electronics Tone Ultra Pro HBS-800 neckband headphones in their slim white avatar remind us why we prefer LG. The curve of the headphones let them hang comfortably off the neck. You barely notice its presence when not in use. The earbuds are connected to the neckband through tough cords. The ear pieces attach magnetically to the ends of the neckband. The call and the play/pause buttons are on the top surface and raised from it, so they are easy to spot in the blind. The volume buttons and the track navigation buttons are along the edges of the arms.

These neckband headphones work wirelessly through Bluetooth. The connection quality is stable. There’s a button to engage the ANC. When switched on, a voice prompts the activation of ANC. You can also activate Google voice commands through these headphones. They come with multiple sizes of silicone eartips. The battery lasts through 15 hours of music playback.

Audio

The LG Tone Ultra Pro HBS-800 neckband headphones do not differ substantially from the LG favorite, HBS-730. However, they do show a little more punch in bass and better detailing throughout the spectrum. The audio quality over Bluetooth sounds much like wired headphones at this price. It is supported by Apt-X which improves the quality of the audio over air. The mic is decent but by no means exceptional. It carries you sound clearly in a moderately quiet explosion. The active noise cancellation feature does not repress the audio much. That’s why the original price was too high for the features.

Sennheiser HD1 in-ear wireless neckband headphone are a cross between a neckband and the Sennheiser Momentum earbuds. The build quality reflects the reliability of the brand. Not only are these superior in looks and design, these are extremely comfortable too. The audio quality is in line with the standards we expect out of Sennheiser. These are slightly expensive but worth the investment. These make the cut for the best neckband headphones.

Design and Features

The Sennheiser HD1 in-ear neckband headphones have the typical Momentum aura. The neckband is all black with red contrast stitching along the arch of the headband. The earbuds emerge out of the sides of the neckband. The earbuds are exactly like those of Momentum earbuds. The cable of these earbuds is line black and red the same way. The earbuds are reinforced with metal backplates. This is a very handsome design to hang around your neck and looks very professional compared to the in-ear sports earbuds. The headband can be easily hidden under the shirt collar. But it cannot be folded into the pocket. The earbuds do not retract either.

The buttons of these neckband headphones are lined on the inner side of the neckband arms. Apart from the power buttons, you have the volume/track navigation buttons and the play/pause button. These can connect through either Bluetooth or NFC. NFC pairing is just a tap away from connecting the headphones to the NFC-enabled source. They come with a handy zippered case which makes it travel-ready. With a 1.5-hour charging stint, they can deliver 10 hours of music playback. It can connect to two Bluetooth devices at once and route audio based on priority. They also have Apt-X support which improves audio quality over wireless connections.

Audio

The Sennheiser HD1 in-ear neckband headphones bring the audiophile sound to the table of a niche product. It is much more tuned to audio compared to the LG devices which are more geared for phone calls and official purposes. It shows the tonal balance and richness that you expect out of audiophile cans. They have a strong bass with tight control which does not bleed into mids.The midrange is clear and musical. All the details are articulated with proper spacing between the instruments. The highs are in line with the energetic bass. The audio is agile enough to respond to quick changes in rhythm.

The SkullcandyInk’d neckband headphones are the funky-looking alter-ego of collar-headphones. If your offices aren’t painted in shades of black, white and gray, you can even wear them to work. These are lightweight, low-profile headphones equipped with the convenience of a neckband and earbuds. The classic energetic and dark Skullcandy audio also adds brownie points. These earns their place in the best neckband headphones list.

Design and Features

The SkullcandyInk’d neckband headphones have a low-profile design that can potentially blend in with the clothes you are wearing. The neckband is moderately thick but pliable. They stay on the neck weighed down by the plastic ends of the neckband arms. One such plastic tab carries the call/play multifunctional button and volume/track navigation buttons. The earbuds are attached to plastic rings along the top of the plastic tabs. The operation is quite easy and hassle-free. The eartips emerge straight out of the earbuds and sit flush in your ears.

These neckband headphones connect through Bluetooth range within 30 feet Bluetooth range. The battery lasts through 8 hours of music play or talktime. The design is such that they can be stowed inside your pocket unlike the Sennheiser. These are available in black, white, street grey, red, royal blue colors. There’s no feature to magnetically connect or retract the earbuds not in use. They are not advertised as sweat-proof but people have used them successfully for running and other outdoor activities.

Audio

The SkullcandyInk’d wireless neckband headphones havethe trademark Skullcandy audio. The solid bass, the clear vocals and matching treble. The casual music lovers will enjoy the audio for its weighty presentation. Even at low volumes, the audio sounds substantial. There is boominess in bass and the treble is non-sibilant.

LG HBS-910 Tone Infinim neckband headphones are a futuristic design that will appeal to the folks in technology. The sleek neckband hides some of LG’s finest technology. These are best suited for listening to podcasts and texts-to-speech and taking calls. You can use them for music playback too provided you get a good seal with the earbuds. These draw the curtain on the best neckband headphones list.

Design and Features

LG HBS-910 Tone Infinim neckband headphoneslook quite cool right out of the box. These have thick neckband done in metallic paint. These are available in black, silver and rose gold. The cable of the earbuds retracts completely into the neckband. This is a very useful feature as it keeps the earbuds from hanging and snagging on things. The track navigation and play/pause buttons are on the left arm of the headband. The volume navigation buttons and the call answer/reject buttons are on the other arm.

These neckband headphones to the audio source via Bluetooth connection within 33 feet. Per charge, you get 16 hours of talktime and 10.5 hours of music playback. They are lightweight and hang comfortably around your neck when not in use.

Audio

The LG HBS-910 Tone Infinum neckband headphones are headphones meant for calls. And they deliver in this department. With the right size of eartips, you get plenty of bass which makes the audio sound full. They have good clarity in the midrange which translates to clear and articulate vocals.

Mpow Jaws Gen4 is redefining the neckband headphone category with high-performing affordable headsets. This is designed for comfort and convenience. It has a number of features which make it easy to use around on a busy day. The battery life ensures that you don’t have to worry about hooking it up to a charge. The audio is decently detailed and the mic is precious when it comes to picking up your voice. It’s definitely best neckband headphones material.

Design and Features

The Mpow Jaws Gen4 neckband headphone is simply a neckband with a pair of earbuds attached to it. The neckband is made of soft silicone and has a sturdy anti-fracture core. You can twist and store it in a small space without much hassle. Both ends of the silicone band have a shark-shaped plastic cap with buttons and inner circuitry. The earphones cables are threaded through some wire ties and connected to the plastic casing. This gives the more room for movement and extension. The earbuds themselves are attached to the cable that emerges out of the plastic casing. The ear pieces are magnetic. So, when they are not in use, the cable retracts and they get stuck to the plastic casing. The shark-face design is stylish maneuver from Mpow. It weighs a measly 1.2 ounce.

This neckband headset uses Bluetooth V4.1 for wireless connectivity. This is known to be more energy-efficient than previous versions. The battery lasts through 13 hours per charge which can cover an entire work day. On the right-side plastic casing, you have the volume navigation buttons. The left side carries the multifunctional call answer/reject/play/pause buttons. The headset vibrates to let you know about an incoming call. This way you won’t miss calls even if the earbuds are not in your ears. You can switch to the call with a single button press.

This Mpow headphone comes with a soft carry case with a zipper. This definitely makes them more portable. They comes with three sizes of silicone eartips and a USB charging cable. They are available in grey, black and dark blue colors. We checked the user feedback from people who have been using these affordable neckband headphones day-to-day. These are widely known to be durable. Mpow has done a commendable job with durability in spite of the price.

Audio

The Mpow Jaws Gen4 neckband headset don’t seem to have made many changes under the hood over Gen3. But we aren’t complaining because Gen3 offered great audio performance for the price too. Gen4 is an affordable set so we tempered our expectations accordingly. The audio has clarity across the board. There wasn’t any special focus on bass, mids or treble. They sounded balance without any of the usual problems like boomy bass or sibilant highs. The vocals sounded clear in the songs. These are also great for podcast. With the right size of eartips, they provide a decent seal so try out all sizes.

The call quality was excellent. They use CVC 6.0 noise-cancelling technology to enable mic to pick up your voice amongst the ambient noise. The people on the other end of the call could hear us clearly and the mayhem around the caller sounded muted. The Bluetooth connection also remained strong within the range. We could move at least 25 feet away from the playback source before the sound started cutting out. There are no latency issues with the audio.

The Jarv Joggerz Pro Sports neckband headphones provide an affordable and comfortable alternative to the neckband earbuds. These are touted as sports headphones but they are great for everyday use. The wireless connectivity makes them convenient for workplace use as well. The small footprint of the design makes them extremely portable. The audio quality exceeds expectations. It’s the perfect contender for the best neckband headphones list.

Design and Features

The Jarv Joggerz Pro neckband headphones wrap around the back of your neck. The two on-ear earpieces are slung on the ears via the neckband. These headphones are great for people who find the in-ear headphones too invasive. Being lightweight on-ears they also allow more ventilation than the full-size headphones. The ear pieces are round and mounted with ear cushions draped in faux leather. This soft and breathable. The neckband is thick and cylindrical. It has hinges slightly away from the ear pieces where it can fold. The headphones fold to reduce their footprint to 5” x 2”, i.e. roughly the size of sunglasses. They are comfortable to wear even with glasses on.

These neckband headphones have controls on the right earcup. There are three parallel stripes. The middle on carries the multifunctional button for call and playback control. The top strip carries volume controls and the bottom strip has track navigation. The strips are too closely spaced which sometimes makes it difficult to differentiate or press a button properly. The other earcup has the logo. If you select the black/grey or black/green combos, the buttons are done in the contrast color. These headphones connect wirelessly through Bluetooth v4.1. It has an audible range of 33 feet on paper. Indoors, we found the range closer to 20 feet for a non-choppy connection. The Jarv Joggerz aren’t specified as sweat-resistant but they have been tested by people with active lifestyles. They stay in place while running or jogging.

On a moderate volume, this headset offers around 20 hours of battery life per charge. It takes only 2 hours to charge completely. It has an in-built mic for making calls.

Audio

The Jarv Joggerz Pro neckband headphones are a pleasant surprise in their mature sound signature. These are balanced across bass, mids and highs. The bass is punchy and present. If the fit is not snug, it might sound a little diffused. However, the fit is good for medium to big heads. The vocals are high and clear. They have enough details to highlight the male and female voices and differentiate the ears. The treble is good. The bass is never thin or boomy. There is no harshness in the audio across the volume range. Speaking of which, the volume range is sufficient for everyday use.

The mic performance is excellent. It picks up voice against all the ambient noise. The people on the other end of the call said that the caller on the Jarv end sounded just like they were speaking directly into the phone.

The LBell SX991 neckband headphones will make you wonder why others cost so much. These are big bang on the buck. The audio is tuned to the tastes of casual audience with deep bass. The controls are placed for convenience. There are many features to explore in spite of the affordable price tag. The battery life is pretty good. And these look smart enough for professional use. These slide right into the best neckband headphones list.

Design and Features

The LBell SX991 neckband headphones look pretty classy for their price. They are all black with metallic touches. The neckband has a stiff plastic build sheathed in soft rubber. It measures only 2.4 ounces. The arms of this neckband are articulating. They fold for compact storage. As a result, these can fit into the small pockets of your bags. The actual earbuds are connected via retractable cables to the neckband. The earbuds stick to the ends of the neckband when not in use. You can pull them out when you want to insert them in your ears. A simple button press will retract them into the arms of the neckband.

These headphones have controls on the right arm of the neckband. As soon as you switch them on, they automatically go into pairing mode. The volume buttons are on the top and the multifunctional button is on the side. You can also pull up Siri with a single button press. Just for information, these can connect to any playback device with Bluetooth capability, Android or Apple. These headphones have a vibration alert for calls so that you don’t miss calls when the earbuds are not on. They also announce the phone number so you know who the caller is. These neckband headphones connect wirelessly through Bluetooth v4.1. The range is up to 33 feet. The battery lasts through 16 hours of music playback per charge. Or you would get 18 hours talktime. It takes less than 3.5 hours to charge it to the full. You also get battery life voice alerts.

The SX991 only comes with different sizes of silicone eartips and a charging cable.

Audio

The LBell SX991 neckband headphones immediately wowed us with their full bass. The lower-end pumps out with some vigor. At no volume do they sound thin. The vocals are clear and crisp but not as great as higher-end headsets. The treble is smooth but harsh. The audio is clear and decently detailed for the price. The bass doesn’t get boomy even at high volumes. The volume range is pretty wide. You can get enough high volume for urban environments where there will be a lot of ambient noise. The audio is pretty open sounding unlike the comparably priced headphones.

The mic quality turned out to be pretty good too. The calls sounded clear except they weren’t all that crisp. We can still distinguish the words easily and hear them above the noise from the other side.

The SoundBot SB221 neckband headphones are another surprise find although they have been around for a while. These are designed like the Jarv Joggerz with excellent build quality that has been reported to last for hours. The audio is also great for the affordable price tag. Other features like battery life, portability, fitment and comfort exceeded expectations. In short, it checks all the boxes for the best neckband headphones list.

Design and Features

The SoundBot SB221 neckband headphones are relatively lightweight. They have two on-ear ear pieces connected by a thick cylindrical headband. The round ear pieces are mounted with soft cushions and durable faux leather draping. The neckband passes over the ears and connects around the back of the neck. This way the ear pieces hang on the ears securely. The fit is great for heads of all sizes. The arms of the headphones have hinges. They can be folded when not in use. This reduces to the size of a pair of sunglasses and fits into pockets. They weigh only 2.5 ounces.

These neckband headphones have controls on the right earcup. The multifunctional button is raised from the surface so it’s easy to find in the blind. There are volume buttons above it and track navigation buttons below it. These are easy to press and have good feedback. You can summon Siri while holding a couple of buttons together. These are sweat-resistant headphones so you can take them to a workout. They have an in-built mic so you can take calls over them. Many users have applauded the durability of the design. The SB221s can easily cough up a life of 2-3 years with continuous use. We have never heard that of wireless headphones this price.

The battery lasts through 25 hours for calls or 20 hours for music playback. They get fully charged within 3 hours. They come with waterproof pouch and a charging cable.

Audio

The SoundBot SB221 neckband headphones reasonably enjoyable headphones. Even with their price tag they head towards balanced but do not quite get there. They have a strong bass. At the highest volumes they have a bit of boominess to them. But you are unlikely to go so high for daily use. We liked that they sound full and not tinny when the volume is down. The vocals are relayed clearly. You don’t have to strain your ears to distinguish the words.

The Bluetooth connection remains pretty strong within 33 feet. There are no choppy distractions while you listen to your favorite characters have life-altering conversations on HBO. The mic also performed reliably for office calls. The receiving end didn’t have any trouble understanding our speech even when we called from a crowded office.

The BeatsX wireless neckband headphones are one of the more well-executed products from Beats. They started gaining back reputation as a serious player with headphones that match their price after BeatsX. The sound signature is noticeably more balanced. These are quality buds with excellent build quality. They are available in a wide range of colors too. These make a great addition to the best neckband headphones list.

Design and Features

The BeatsX neckband headphones have two earbuds connected by a flat wire. The earbuds are lightweight and fit much like comfy stock earbuds. The difference is in the fitment accessories. Beats supplies four sizes of eartips which provides a better gradient and potential for fitment than the usual three sizes. The eartips angle away from the driver casings and they fit ergonomically. They also come with ear fins. These lodge inside the ears and keep the BeatsX secure when you go running or for other activities. There are two pairs in case you misplace one. These earphones are sweat-resistant.

The cable is blissfully flat. It avoids tangles and stays sorted in your pocket. There are two tabs to keep the cable stable around the neck. The weight of the cable is distributed such that it doesn’t weigh the ear pieces down. This has an inline control which offers the familiarity of the usual inline controls of wired earbuds. This has the mic, the volume control buttons and a multifunctional button. This controls the playback and calls. You can also summon up Siri via these controls. These come in 6 different colors to go with your vibe. The battery lasts through 8 hours per charge. You also have a quick charge option. With 5 mins charge, you get 2 hours of juice. The ear pieces have magnetic attachment, so they lock like a necklace around your neck when not in use.

Audio

The BeatsX neckband headphones have a very balanced audio signature. All parts of the frequency spectrum: bass, mids and highs have equal attention. The bass is punchy and on point. It plays tight and nice with the midrange compared to the older Beats headphones that would boost bass. The vocals get a clear and crisp presentation hears. This really helps during the calls. The treble is clean and smooth. The detailing was pretty good for the current price.

These neckband headphones can deliver to the audiophiles although they might not have the same vibrance as some open-back headphones at this price. The call clarity was sufficient for our everyday use.

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